Hike Granite Mountain Mojave National Preserve, CA

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I hiked Silver Peak years ago, the neighbor of Granite Mountain, and I had it in my head that Granite would be similar. It ended up being significantly more work, but also a lot more interesting. Reaching the trailhead is likely possible by any vehicle.

Whiley and I followed the old mining road leading southwest from the trailhead, the same start of the route as you'd take to get up to Silver Peak, but we left this road when our combined guts told us to do so. We were happy with our decision to leave the road when we did; it seemed like had we left any earlier we would have been doing extra bushwhacking, and any later would just have added more distance. The going was slower than we thought it would be heading up the initial slope mostly due to steepness, but the bushwhacking was not bad at all, instead just requiring a little bit of zig-zagging to avoid occasional cacti and brush.

Eventually the slope became significantly less steep and we had a view toward Granite Mountain in the distance, or rather a false summit, but we didn't know that yet. As the slope mellowed out, we were hit with granite boulder obstacles that did require a bit of route-finding to keep the route easier. I'd recommend staying generally left of the ridge crest, dropping lower when necessary, but not too low where the slope appears to get more brushy. Instead, we picked our way through the boulders. On the ascent, we did a few Class 3 moves, but on the way back we somehow made the route easier and managed Class 2. Once out of the bouldery maze, we were at the base of the second major slope ascent, this one a lot more brushy if you stay on the ridge. It will be tempting to stay on the crest, but keep just to the left and locate ample animal/social trails that avoid the majority of the unpleasantness. We didn't find the social trails on the way up, but coming down they were easy to locate and made the route a breeze.

After a bunch of vertical gain, we neared a minor rock outcropping just below the summit, which can be kept Class 2+ by staying to the right. The Granite Mountain summit views were great.

Many people seem to combine the two peaks by following the ridgeline from Granite Mountain over to Silver Peak (or vice versa), but I hear the route is brushy, so the fact it was getting dark didn't make us feel that badly about skipping it (plus I had already gotten Silver and was happy to save my legs the work).

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Granite Mountain

6762 ft

2792 rise

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Heading along the old mining Road, Granite Mountain visible ahead.

Continuing along the old mining road. The ridge we would head to is right of center.

We left the mining road, did some minor bushwhacking, and started our ascent.

Steep and with some zig-zagging to avoid brush/cacti.

View back down the slope, you can see the old mining road we came in on in the center.

View toward Silver Peak as we make progress up the slope.

Granite Mountain's false summit visible top right. This shot was taken at the top of the steep slope as enter more gentle terrain.

View back as we continue along the less-steep middle section of the route.

Navigating a boulder maze.

The crux of the hike - I recommend keeping left of the ridge crest and navigating through the boulders to keep the route Class 2/2+. You can avoid most of the harder stuff by staying left.

Whiley puzzling out the best option.

Past the bouldery obstacles, we reached the second steep slope. It's tempting to stick to the ridge crest, but instead stay to the left. There is at least one very good animal/social trail that avoids all brush.

View back as we start up the slope.

Class 2 and brush along the ridge, avoidable by staying to the east side. Silver Peak visible top left.

Ascending the slope, left of the crest.

Making progress. You can see a rock outcropping above, marking Granite Mountain's summit.

Rocky outcrop. We kept to the right, Class 2+.

View down from the top of the rocky outcrop, Silver Peak visible top left.

Granite Mountain summit, view south.

Granite Mountain summit, view west.

Granite Mountain summit, view back along the ridge. Our cars are on the right somewhere. Silver Peak on the left.

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Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!